TORONTO, July 6, 2015 /CNW/ - Airbnb, the world's leading community driven hospitality company, today announced that more Canadians than ever before are opening their homes to the world, with more than 33,000 rental listings across Canada.

On June 29, Airbnb launched #TheAirbnbBus in Toronto, showcasing what it means to live like a local and belong anywhere. Throughout the month of July, Torontonians and tourists in the area will spot the bus as it stops at iconic Toronto locations as well as locally identified hidden gems. Scheduled events will educate Canadians about Airbnb and engage the community.

In the past year, Airbnb hosts in Canada have hosted more than 627,000 guests from across Canada and around the world. At the same time, Canadians are using Airbnb to explore the world, with more than 935,000 Canadians staying with Airbnb hosts while travelling in the past year. The top destinations that Canadians use Airbnb when travelling internationally include New York, Paris and Barcelona.

Montreal, known internationally for its rich culture and hospitality, is home to a thriving Airbnb community made up of more than 9,000 listings. Vancouver and Toronto, both major tourist and business traveller destinations, have seen listings grow to more than 7,000 and 4,500 respectively.

"Hosting is in the DNA of Canadians," said Aaron Zifkin, Country Manager for Canada, Airbnb. "As Canadians, we are hospitable people at our core. When Airbnb was founded in 2008, the vision was to create a world where people can belong anywhere. Canadian hospitality lends itself extremely well to home sharing, and that's what has quickly made Canada a leading marketplace - especially during major events and the busy summer travel season."

Travellers who use Airbnb enjoy longer stays and spend more money in the community where they stay. Guests who travel with Airbnb are also more likely to stay in areas outside of typical tourist zones, frequenting local businesses and contributing to neighbourhood economies.

About AirbnbFounded in August of 2008 and based in San Francisco, California, Airbnb is a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world – online or from a mobile phone. Whether an apartment for a night, a castle for a week, or a villa for a month, Airbnb connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and over 190 countries. And with world-class customer service and a growing community of users, Airbnb is the easiest way for people to monetize their extra space and showcase it to an audience of millions.